Meet The Future Euro Champs: Offensive Midfielders.

Midfield, it’s were everything starts. It’s were the most creative players play. It’s were the biggest stars compete. If you control the midfield, you control the game. I already wrote about defensive midfielders, now it’s the time to present our offensive power.

Poland doesn’t play with a typical playmaker these days. No player is in control of our performance and style of play. It all ended very bad for us two years ago when Miroslaw Szymkowiak was to be our leader in the centre of the field. The only problem was that he lost his form and, consequently, our team didn’t know how to cope with that. We’re counting on all the players to deliver in this year’s Euros, our midfield must be a one, unified body if we want to achieve any success. Jacek Krzynowek is the biggest driving engine behind our midfield, he always gives his best and his powerful shot is one of our most threatening weapons. Wojciech Lobodzinski is a right winger with a good cross and some dribbling abilities. Roger Guerreiro and Lukasz Gargula are the closest to be called playmakers, but the former will probably start on the bench and the latter played on the left side in our last friendlies. Lukasz Piszczek replaces the injured Kuba Blaszczykowski as a right winger, but he probably won’t get much playing time.

Jacek Krzynowek:
Date of Birth: 15.05.1976
Position: ML, AMC
Club: VFL Wolfsburg
Number of caps: 79/15 goals
Shirt nr: 8
Nickname: Krzyniu, Krzynek, Jaca, Mlot (a Hammer)
Role in the team: he’s the leader of our midfield. He may start as an attacking midfielder in the centre of the field and later play on the left side. He can cross the ball well, but his biggest advantage is his powerful shot. He’s now scored a number of goals from long distance and we’re still counting on more.
My opinion: when in form, he is indispensible for the team. Drives our team forward with every move, one of only a few Polish players that can win a match by himself. I always feel a thrill when he’s preparing to take a shot. I’d rather see him on the left wing than in the centre of the field.
Interesting fact: never played in any of the top Polish clubs. He was sold by GKS Belchatow to FC Nurnberg, then a 2 Bundesliga team. He earned his name in the national team only after impressive displays in Germany.
Best known for: a lot to choose from, my favourites are his goal against Portugal away (most unexpected goal I’ve ever seen)

and the one against Wales away

Wojciech Lobodzinski:
Date of Birth: 20.10.1982
Position: MR
Club: Wisla Krakow
Number of caps: 16/2 goals
Shirt nr: 17
Nickname: Lobo, Loboda
Role in the team: after Blaszczykowski’s injury he’ll surely be our starting right winger. He has competed with Kuba for the place in the starting eleven for the last 1,5 years. Now he’s the only true option on this position. A natural winger, always looks for an opportunity to cross or dribble.
My opinion: a player perfect as a backup, but I’m not sure if he’s ready to be a starter. Got his chance in our decisive game against Belgium but had to substituted after 45 mins. The best thing about Lobo is that he plays better in the nt than for his club. He has to become one of the driving forces of the team now.
Interesting fact: he had Lobo written on his jersey in our friendly against the Czechs this year. Afterwards he said that it’s not really his nickname, but his surname was too long to be fitted into the jersey. He’ll play with his full surname during the Euros.
Best known for: scoring against Petr Cech this year

Roger Guerreiro:
Date of Birth: 25.05.1982
Position: AMC, MC, ML
Club: Legia Warsaw
Number of caps: 2/0 goals
Shirt nr: 20
Nickname: Jasiu Rogerski
Role in the team: a player that can change a course of a game from the bench, at least in the first game against Germany. There wasn’t enough time to incorporate him into the team. Moreover, if he was to play either Zurawski, Smolarek or Krzynowek would have to be benched. A creative offensive midfielder, capable of passes that other Polish players wouldn’t even think of.
My opinion: at first I was sceptical about him, but after he received our citizenship I’m backing him up 100%. Gives us extra quality, his style of play is much different from what’s normally expected of a Polish player. Always threatening when on the ball, has to learn to fight when we defend.
Interesting fact: he started his career as a left back in Flamengo and Corinthians. It’s very hard to imagine him playing in the defense nowadays.
Best known for: no natioanl team highlights yet, but he proved his worth for Legia

Lukasz Gargula:
Date of Birth: 25.02.1981
Position: AMC, ML
Club: GKS Belchatow
Number of caps: 12/1 goal
Shirt nr: 10
Nickname: Gargamel (the villain from Smurfs), Gula
Role in the team: when in form, he could be our starting offensive midfielder. Unfortunately, last season was very mediocre for him and now he’s only a bench player. Will come on when we have to keep the ball more or when we are in need of goals. Good free kick and corner taker.
My opinion: I once considered him as our new playmaker. Sadly, he’s not the same player after an injury. Still, may prove useful when we need more creativity on the pitch. Has to change the club for the better if he’s to fulfil his potential.
Interesting fact: he’s a very close friend of Radoslaw Matusiak, the biggest omission in our Euro squad. They lived together in one flat while playing for Belchatow and were called up by Leo in the same time. Their understanding on the field was legendary in the Polish league. We won’t be able to see it during the Euros.
Best known for: scoring in his debut against Finland

and three assists against Azerbaijan

Lukasz Piszczek:
Date of Birth: 03.06.1985
Position: MR, ST, DR
Club: Hertha BSC Berlin
Number of caps: 3/0 goals
Shirt nr: probably 16 after Blaszczykowski
Nickname: Piszczu
Role in the team: keeping the bench warm? It’s hard to imagine Piszczek entering the field as he didn’t take part in our preparatory camp and was called up straight from holidays at Rodos. If he proves fit he may cover both the right wing and a striker position. A very athletic player.
My opinion: he played in two friendlies for Poland this year but was very poor in both of them. I was really impressed by his performance in the Polish league season 2006/07 but his start at Hertha was really tough. Still, Piszczek deserves respect for finally winning his place at Hertha. He and Pazdan are, for me, the outfield players least likely to enter the field.
Interesting fact: Hertha bought him in 2004 afer he was Poland’s best scorer in Youth Euro Champs. Then he was loaned out for three consecutive years to Zaglebie Lubin. Only in 2007 did the Hertha officials finally decide that he’s ready to conquer die Bundesliga.
Best known for: no highlights for the national team, but he scored a nice debut goal for Hertha